The Chicago Bears will be looking to win their first season-opening game in seven years when they face off against their NFC North rivals the Detroit Lions.
While there’s some apprehension about the Bears’ offense, that hasn’t been the case for the defense. They’ll be returning some key pieces in Year 2 of Chuck Pagano’s system, as well as adding some new talent in pass rusher Robert Quinn, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Tashaun Gipson.
The Bears will be without Quinn on Sunday, as he’s missed practice all week and has been listed as doubtful, but there’s still plenty of talent on this Chicago defense to take care of business against Detroit.
Here are three keys for the Bears defense when they open the season against the Lions.
1. Bring the pressure on Matthew Stafford
While the Lions have been bad as of late, they’re going to get a boost with the return of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was playing at an MVP level before injuring his back and missing most of last season. The Bears defense has had their way with Stafford in the past, but they’re going to need to bring the pressure and make it as uncomfortable back there as possible.
They should take advantage of a battered Lions offensive line that will be vulnerable on the right side. Detroit will be without veteran right tackle Vaitai Halapoulivaati, and they’ll be starting rookie Jonah Jackson at right guard, who will be challenged immediately going against Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols.
2. Contain Detroit’s passing attack
If there’s a strength of this Lions team, it’s their passing offense. The Bears have been dealt a slight reprieve as it appears Detroit’s top wideout Kenny Golladay won’t play Sunday, as he’s been ruled doubtful with a hamstring injury. But the Bears will still have to contend with the likes of Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola among a slew of others.
The Bears have two new starters in the secondary, including safety Tashaun Gipson. But Chicago does return two of the game’s best in safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Kyle Fuller. Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson will get the start opposite Fuller, so Johnson will be challenged immediately in his first career start.
3. Force turnovers by the Lions
It’s worth noting that the last two Bears-Lions games played in Detroit have come down to the wire, and it was a crucial takeaway that led to a Chicago victory. In 2018, Eddie Jackson had a walk-off interception return for a touchdown that broke the tie and gave the Bears a 23-16 lead, which was sealed by a Kyle Fuller interception. Last season, Jackson had an interception off David Blough to preserve a last-ditch comeback effort by the Lions.
If the Bears defense can force the Lions offense into mistakes, they should give their offense some breathing room. But history tells us this game should be close throughout, and it might take some late-game heroics by the defense to preserve a win. With Jackson moving back to free safety, it’ll be interesting to see if he can once again force Stafford’s hand and come down with the type of game-changing play he’s known for.
